Discrete graphics card Problem - Screen turns black

Hello there
I have an Alienware M17x which is almost three years old now but never had a problem with it until now.
One day I was watching a video in youtube but the laptop crashed showing some green and purple dots on the screen. From that point and on, I was not able to start again the laptop using the discrete graphics card (Nvidia 260M GTX). Every time I try, the laptop works just fine until the point where I have to enter my password to log in. At that point the screen turns black and I can not do anything. I can hear the sounds in the background that the laptop is working fine but I can not do anything. I can only use the integrated graphics card (nvidia 9400).
I tried everything I knew. I tried installing different drivers, change some settings in safe mode ( I can use the gtx 260m while in safe mode) , bios settings and even open the laptop and removed the graphics card in order to clean it. I still have the same problem.
Am I missing something? Is anything I can do to fix this problem? Thank you for your time, Alex.

 

If you can use the card in safe mode, it's very probable the problem is software based. One thing you can try is uninstalling all the Nvidia drivers and then boot to Windows and see if you get to your desktop. May be worthwhile to use Driver Sweeper after the fact to make sure all traces of Nvidia driver from the system. If your system boots fine with no trace of Nvidia software, then you know what was causing the problem.

IF it still goes black, then go into safemode, the run prompt, and type msconfig. Under the services and startup tabs, uncheck all the boxes to disable all software from starting up at boot. Then restart and see if you get the black screen. If you do, then either a core windows component is causing the black screen or its a hardware issue. If you boot fine with all the boxes unchecked, then go back thru and check each box, one at a time and restart. Keep doing that until your screen goes black. The last box you checked is what's causing the black screen.

 

I tried the msconfig command and there was only problem while loading the nvidia drivers. I unistall them thought but the laptop still has the same problem.

 

Hello,

Try an Alienrespawn to recover the system back to factory settings, and update drivers after that.

 

Do what Natalia suggested. Even though you removed the Nvidia drivers, there could be some driver files or registry keys that are corrupt and causing the black screen. If Alienspawn does not work, then you may have to reformat and reinstall Windows clean. Whatever you do...DO NOT USE SYSTEM RESTORE! It will only make the problem worse.